The most extraordinary things about the biblical prerequisites for elders is that they are not all that extraordinary.”1 — D.A. Carson
Plurality of Elders
In 1969, Three Dog Night graced the top 100 chart with their heart-touching single "One." This poignant song, reflecting on love and navigating turbulent relationships, carried the powerful message that "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do; the loneliest number, worse than two."
This feeling is also true when we talk about church leadership. According to George Barna, 65 percent of pastors are currently experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation in their ministry.2 In March 2022, the percentage of pastors who considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year was 42 percent. Despite the complexities and difficulties inherent in ministry within our culture, it's striking to consider this reality for a role that God defined as "a good work" (1 Tim 3:1).
Yet, amidst these challenges, there's a reassuring perspective—we aren't encountering flaws in God’s plan. Instead, we are navigating through the wreckage of broken leadership models that have drifted too far from the shores of Scripture. As we look to God’s Word, we find that the accountability, encouragement, and camaraderie that pastors long for are actually charted for the role. In part one of this series, we established that although several words are used for the role of pastor, it is one role. What we find in scripture is that the Pastor/Elder/Overseer operates in plurality—it’s no lonely number. With that in mind, a growing number of churches are experiencing a renaissance by adopting the practice of a plurality of elders over a single-pastor model, not only rekindling the hope for pastors but also fortifying the enduring strength of their congregations.
What are the biblical examples?
A fresh survey of the scriptures is quite revealing. What we find is that the examples of elders in the church being in the plurality is the norm, not the exception. As Macarthur notes: “Ministry as depicted in the New Testament was never a one-man show. ”3 When it comes to appointment, encouragement, or examples of the existence of plural elders in the New Testament a pastor never finds himself in the “loneliest” number:
Appointment of elders in every church is in plurality: Acts 14:23: "When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed." A plurality seems to be what they implemented “in every church”.
Apostolic instructions for the appointment of elders in every town are in plurality: Titus 1:5: "This is why I left you in Crete so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you." Every town, notably has referenced only one church in the singular, and elders appear in plurality.
James' Instruction to Elders is in plurality: James 5:14: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." It is presumed that the person sick is only a part of one church, yet, a plurality of elders of that church are called in.
Peter's Exhortation to Elders is in plurality: 1 Peter 5:1–2 - "So I exhort the elders among you... shepherd the flock of God that is among you."Again, elders are in the plural, and the flock is singular. So although the letter is distributed to multiple churches, it addresses the elders in plural. So it’s not that it refers to the elders among all the cities, or it seems he would have put flock in the plural as well. Flock is singular, and elder is plural.
Plural Example in Jerusalem Church - Acts 11:30 - "They sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." The church in Jerusalem followed the pattern we see in the appointments elsewhere.
Plural Example in Ephesian Church - Acts 20:17 - "From Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him."
Plural Example in Timothy - 1 Tim. 4:14: "Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you."
Plural Example in Hebrews Church- Heb. 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” These leaders are assumed to be elders as they are the ones who “taught the word to you” and whose “way of life” you should “imitate.” (Heb 13:7)
Plural Example in Philippi - Phil 1:1 “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers, and deacons.” The church at Philippi is addressed to the elders in the plural.
So, the appointments to churches are only identified in plurality, and the references to the active role in all churches are in plurality. This is why Wayne Grudem sums it up this way:
Two significant conclusions may be drawn from [a] survey of the New Testament evidence. First, no passage suggests that any church, no matter how small, had only one elder. The consistent New Testament pattern is a plurality of elders “in every church” (Acts 14:23) and “in every town” (Titus 1:5). Second, we do not see a diversity of forms of government in the New Testament church but a unified and consistent pattern in which every church had elders governing it and keeping watch over it (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2–3).”4
Or as John MacArthur concluded, “There is no reference in all the New Testament to a one-pastor congregation.”5
Other Arguments for the Plurality of Elders:
The New Testament consistently presents a model of church leadership that includes a plurality of elders rather than a single pastor. The biblical precedent provides a standard that is not easily dismissed. But there are other reasons that could reinforce this idea:
Balanced Leadership: The plurality of elders provides a diverse and balanced leadership team. Each elder brings unique gifts and perspectives, allowing for more comprehensive decision-making and pastoral care. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 emphasizes the diversity of gifts given by the Spirit for the common good of the church.
Protects Congregational Authority: The plurality of elders doesn't undermine congregational authority but reinforces it. In the absence of a Senior Pastor, there is a continuity of leadership to carry on the work of the church without creating artificial leadership structures.
Shared Responsibility: Elders share the responsibility of shepherding the flock, preventing the burden from falling solely on one individual. This fosters a culture of collaboration, humility, and mutual support. In Acts 20:28, Paul addresses the elders of the church in Ephesus, emphasizing their collective responsibility to shepherd the church.
Pastoral Care: Elders, as a team, can more effectively provide pastoral care to the congregation. This fosters a deeper sense of community and spiritual growth within the church. 1 Peter 5:2 instructs elders in plurality to shepherd the flock of God among them, exercising oversight willingly and eagerly…caring for the church.
Guarding Against Error: Having multiple elders guards the church against doctrinal errors and potential abuses of power, as they can hold each other accountable to sound biblical teaching and practice. Titus 1:9 instructs elders to hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught so that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it.
Modeling Unity: The plurality of elders exemplifies the unity within the body of Christ. As elders work in harmony and with humility, it sets an example for the congregation to follow, promoting unity and love within the church.
Spiritual Protection: A plurality of elders complements congregational decision-making by providing spiritual guidance and wisdom. The congregation can benefit from the collective experience and insights of the elders in making important choices. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety."
Accountability and Transparency: Having multiple elders can aid in transparency in leadership and can help prevent any individual from wielding unchecked power. There is no question that a congregation as a whole should hold the elders accountable, 1 Timothy 5:19-20 advises addressing accusations against elders with objectivity and accountability. But if there is internal accountability, the initial levels of confrontation in church discipline can be handled before problems ever escalate to church involvement thus preserving the stability of the church.
Conclusion
Our pastors don't have to endure the hardships of ministry alone. Biblical eldership, marked by plurality, is the scripturally sound and practical model of church leadership. This model aligns seamlessly with the Baptist congregational perspective, providing spiritual protection, fostering unity, and enabling the congregation to effectively fulfill its biblical mandate. Embracing a plurality of elders is not the answer to every problem local churches face, but it can lead a Baptist congregational church to greater health and stability, preventing the frequent instances of shipwreck in leadership we are currently witnessing. The call to action is clear — it's time for us to revisit the map and support our pastors.
Study Questions:
Fill in the blank: In March 2022, the percentage of pastors who considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year was __________ percent.
What biblical verse describes the role of a pastor as "a good work"?
According to Macarthur, why was ministry in the New Testament never depicted as a one-man show?
True or False: Titus 1:5 emphasizes appointing a single elder in every town.
Fill in the blank: Wayne Grudem concludes that the consistent New Testament pattern is a __________ of elders "in every church" and "in every town."
How does the plurality of elders protect congregational authority?
Explore the reasons given for adopting a plurality of elders. Do you agree with these reasons? Why or why not?
How does the plurality of elders contribute to balanced leadership and the protection of congregational authority?
How does your church leadership currently function?
In your opinion, how can a plurality of elders foster a culture of collaboration, humility, and mutual support?
Quoted in: Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, The Deliberate Church, © 2005, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187, p. 149, www.crosswaybooks.org.
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 1135.
The Book on Leadership, 2004, p. 168
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 1123–1124.
https://www.gty.org/library/articles/451016/answering-the-key-questions-about-elders